Introduction to a Speed Cuber
About Me
Hi, my name is Logan Tibbetts. I am currently a Computer Science undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma. I plan to finish my Masters by spring 2020. My hobbies include solving twisty puzzles, and playing video and board games with friends. I am not a total hermit locked inside as I do go camping or hiking from time to time (although not as much as I should).
The Rubik's Cube
I got my first Rubik's Cube when I was 7 years old, and I have been hooked ever since. My desire to solve the Rubik's Cube quickly originally derived from simple competition with my older brother. However, I continued to solve them even after he stopped. I have only went to one official competition back in 2014 with a Single Best Time of 22.33s and an average of 28.23s (My Record). Unofficially my PB for a single solve is 14.72s.
Twisty Puzzles...?
It is a weird to call a Rubik's Cube a twisty puzzle, but that is what it is. I say this because there is a large amount of puzzles that function in similar manners, but are not bounded to be a 3x3x3 cube. To give an example here is a picture of a small (1/4 or so) portion of my collection.
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| Top: Valk 3 Power M (my main), Dino Cube Bottom: 2x2, Valk 3, 2x2 Ghost Cube, Ivy Cube, Mo Fang Ge 5x5, Calvin's 3x3x5 Barrel Cube (Source: Personal Picture 2017-01-21) |
To give you an idea of the interesting ones, here is the barrel scrambled up.
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| (Source: Personal Picture 2017-01-21) |
But Why...?
I find that twisty puzzles are a great way to relieve stress. I use them primarily to take breaks while working. I know they are not everyone's cup of tea, but they are mine. After memorizing how to solve them most of the work is taken over by muscle memory so it is an easy process. And no... I do not just peel the stickers off and put them back on.
If you are interested in trying them out here is a link with plenty of resources available. Good cubes that are much better than the Rubik's® brand cubes are available for under $10 and will greatly improve your experience if you are interested. I recommend buying from The Cubicle.
Recent Backpacking Trip
Over the MLK Jr. weekend my brother and I went backpacking around the Talihina State Park area. It was not the best trip I have ever been on due to the sub-freezing temperatures at night, but we made it through it. Over the course of three days, we backpacked a total of 20 miles. We carried the food we ate with us and filled up our water bottles halfway through by filtering water from streams that were thankfully not frozen over (yet...). The only picture I have from the trip is from when we got back to my car and I got to take this wonderful scenic photograph.
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| (Source: Personal Picture, taken here) |
Hi Logan! I must admit, your title for this post really drew me in, I had no idea what it would be about! That is so cool that you had a chance to go to a competition for it and I can't believe how quickly you were able to solve it! I have never done a Rubik's cube before, but I have a feeling it would take me days (at best!)
ReplyDeleteHello there Logan! I like solving puzzles and playing board games too! I also used to go camping as a kid and loved it! Anytime I get a chance to go hiking with friends I will take the opportunity because who doesn't like the great outdoors? That's a really neat collection you got there. I remember trying to solve my rubik cube but gave up and it still sitting on my drawer back home haha.
ReplyDeleteHi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy board games too. I love getting together with friends to play. My friend's family has a lake house in Davis, OK, and we just got back from a long weekend of games and fun a couple weeks ago. One of the games we played was Scythe which we had never played before. We obviously had no idea what we were doing because it took three and a half hours and we had three decks of cards that we hadn't touched. We all thought it would be fun once we know how to play it, but if you haven't played Scythe before I would definitely recommend watching a YouTube play through first. Also if you have played it, I could really use some tips because I want to win next time!
Oh my gosh, Logan, this whole twisty puzzle world looks so cool! I never learned how to solve the Rubik's Cube, but I do have a Ball of Whacks which is fun to play with. You don't solve it exactly; it's more something you play with to see what it can turn into! Maybe for this class you could design some India-themed stickers; I've seen cubes that were like that, where instead of matching the colors, you were trying to get all the same faces to show up. Anyway, India is a land of games: Parcheesi comes from India, and so does Snakes and Ladders ... so maybe you will find a playful / gameful Storybook project to pursue!
ReplyDeleteHello Logan!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the term "twisty puzzles" but I absolutely love it. At my job there's a daycare that I sometimes substitute for and one of the kids loves his Rubik's cube! I'll have to tell him about the competitions, I bet he'll be so excited. Personally, I've never been very good at twisty puzzles, but I do love Sudoku! The picture you took looks beautiful. I also love to travel and hike around, but I don't know if I could handle freezing temperatures.
Hi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI really love playing games with my friends and family as well, I'm always open to new game suggestions! I've never been very good at twisty puzzles - I've tried and tried to solve a Rubik's cube and have never been able to do it. I'm always amazed at watching people solve them so quickly, as it's just something I've never understood! It's cool how many variations there are of these puzzles and that you're able to memorize how to solve them all and then just rely on muscle memory as a stress reliever.
Hi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI was never really good at games as a kid but my little sister can finish those mind puzzles and Rubix cubes so fast. That backpacking trip sounds like a lot of fun! I used to go camping as a kid and backpacking is always something I've wanted to do. I can't image doing it in such cold weather though and having to carry everything with you that you need. I don't think I'd be cut out for that kind of thing!
Hi Logan! First of all, I really like the theme of your blog. One of my major hobbies is playing boardgames! My brothers and I have been collecting boardgames for about 10 years now. I also love camping and hiking. Congratulations on getting the best time in 2014! I only had the inkling to solve it once and I never really played with it again.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you structured your introduction. We have many interests in common. I love camping and hiking and also like to play videogames and solve puzzles. It's awesome that you have found a nice hobby that is both challenging and rewarding for you. Your backpacking trip sounds cool but I'm not sure I would survive camping in those temperatures.
Hello Logan! Nice to meet you. I played with Rubik's cube when I was a kid and I wasn't able to solve the normal and easy one so just thinking of solving those hard one make mind blank but you can do and that the talent you got. Fear not I have the talent to but it in the board game like chess.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan! I love that you are so into the Rubik’s cube! When I first started reading this I was like.. WOW this is so cool! Then you pulled that coupon and I was like… that’s awesome! I have only ever solved rubik’s cubes by watching youtube tutorials and that took me about an hour so I never did that again! Anyways thanks for sharing who you are an I look forward to reading one of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Logan great to see you! It is really cool that you are so into the Rubik's cube. It seems like it is a life long passion. I have definitely tried solving them before and have not had much success. Computer science is also a very challenging major, adding a masters on that makes me think you are really going to push yourself in college. It is great to meet you good luck this semester.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan!
ReplyDeleteI really like the design and layout of your blog and I feel like incorporating personal photos into your introduction was a nice touch! I’ve always loved playing games and solving puzzles, even today I like to play a game of clue with my roommates on a cold rainy day. I hope you are having a great semester so far and I cant wait to explore the rest of your blog!
Logan,
ReplyDeleteI can only solve the 3x3 cubes. I have always liked seeing the crazy puzzles that other people are able to finish. The barrell puzzle is hard for me to wrap my mind around. I also enjoy back packing, I tend to go out to the whichita mountains near Lawton whenever I go to visit my parents.
Hi Logan, it is nice to meet you! Wow, your interest and passion for the Rubik's Cube is quite fascinating. When my younger sister was a freshman and sophomore in high school, she became fascinated with the regular 3x3 Rubik's Cube and competed with all the boys in her class because none of the girls were into the Rubik's Cube. My sister's best time was 58 seconds I believe. Congrats on your personal best times - those are some incredible achievements. That is so cool that you love to go backpacking. Nature and I are not the best of friends so I am jealous of those who love to go backpacking and camping. I hope you enjoy the rest of your semester, Logan!
ReplyDeleteHey Logan! I understand your passion for "twisty puzzles". I have a slight obsession with Sudoku puzzles. It's now my way of relaxing or keeping my mind and fingers busy when they'd otherwise be idle. That's great that you get outdoors though and explore! Although I wonder how far you can go without a Rubik's Cube in your backpack! I hope you are enjoying the course so far and I look forward to reading your story!
ReplyDeleteHi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there was such a diverse selection of Rubik's Cube-like puzzles out there! I knew that there was a competitive scene for the regular 3x3 cube, but not the wide variety of other shapes and challenges. I myself never really learned how to solve a Rubik's Cube, I guess I never had the patience as a kid, and I haven't been around one since then. I too enjoy hiking and camping! I go down to the Elk Mountain, near Lawton, quite a bit. It was some really nice hiking and bouldering opportunities!
Hi, Logan!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool introduction. I have to admit that I have owned like 3 rubix cubes that I received for various holidays, and I have never once solved one. I did not even know they made rubix cubes apart from the originals, so I am glad that you included pictures of them. I enjoy puzzles, so maybe I will give them a try sometime.
Hey there, Logan!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to see that you have a lot of different interests outside of school! I think this is very important to maintain a nice balance between life and school work. It seems like you have become very good at solving cubes! I was never the best at it, but I also never really committed to it. I like to fish in my spare time to relieve stress. However, this is not something that I am able to do on a daily basis.
Hello Logan. Your ability to do rubiks cubes is pretty impressive. The best I have ever done is one color, I can not imagine doing an entire cube in under 30 seconds. I also did not know there were so many variations of twisty puzzles. I also enjoy going on hiking trips. It is really freeing to spend a few days in nature with just what you can carry. Best of luck getting your masters.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan,
ReplyDeleteThat's a really interesting hobby you have! I remember trying to do a Rubik's Cube a long time ago, and it was definitely not my cup of tea. But like you said, different people like different things! Board games are super fun. I just recently played Pandemic for the first time and it was fantastic. I've played other games like Munchkin and Betrayal At House On The Hill. They are great ways to spend a night with friends.
Hi Logan! I really enjoyed reading your introduction and getting to know you a little more! You happen to have an quite interesting hobby! Unfortunately, I don't think I would have the patience to do what you do. Keep up the great work and good lick with your Master's program! It will be difficult but it will definitely be worth it!
ReplyDeleteHi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI have never actually enjoyed Rubik's cube style puzzles, but am a low-key fiend for 3D brainteasers (usually ones with strange parts that only fit together in certain ways). The only sad part is once you figure them out they're sort of finished, which is probably not true at all for twisty-style piece. Your hiking endeavor sounds both satisfying and exhausting; I cannot wait to spend more time outside and less in front of a computer. Nice to meet you, and good luck with the masters!
Hello, nice to meet you Logan!
ReplyDeleteI just finished up reading your introduction! I am a computer science major as well, I will be graduating next year, unless I fail my classes lol. I too love backpacking! I am going to Cuba for a week with some of my travel buddies in May. I also totally get how hard it is to camp in the cold, over spring break I went camping in RMNP, it was rough.
Hey Logan! I just finished looking over your introduction on your website. I feel like I learned so much about you from your introduction! Your hobbies seem so cool! I also really enjoyed the design of your website. I can tell that you have worked very diligently this semester to make your project great. You have done an amazing job and you should be proud of yourself!
ReplyDeleteHey, Logan, nice to meet you! I think it's awesome that you can solve a Rubik's cube. I can't solve one at all let alone quickly like you do. I also had no idea there were so many kinds of twisty puzzles out there, your collection looks super cool. The picture from your backpacking trip is beautiful. I hope what little bit we have left of the semester goes well for you.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan! I can relate to stress relievers during work breaks. Sometimes I'll spin pens and try and teach my self new tricks. I don't go crazy into this however, I mostly just do it to help focus during class and its great for that. I also love going hiking and camping when I get the chance but I unfortunately don't to many chances to go. Good luck on the rest of your semester.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Logan!
ReplyDeleteI love mind games, but have actually never solved a Rubik's Cube. I'm sure those are helping you get through these last couple weeks of school! I may need to get my hands on some, haha! Thank you so much for sharing a bit about you with us! I look forward to reading your story.
Hi Logan, wow I wish I had learned to solve a Rubik's Cube! I'm sure they're entertaining and a good mind stimulator. I bet people are impressed to learn that you know how to solve them! I need to learn how to do that soon. Good luck on the end of the semester!
ReplyDelete